The 33-year-old center became the EuroLeague's all-time top rebounder
Tavares becomes rebounding king in Real's win over Maccabi
Game Report
3 Mins read
Regular Season
Round 21 of 38
Regular Season
Real MadridRMB
9886
Maccabi Rapyd Tel AvivMTA
Overview
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Real Madrid defeated Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv 98-86 in the Spanish capital on Thursday for its 17th consecutive home victory over the Israeli squad, whose last victory in Madrid came on March 11, 2010. Real struggled early in the game and found ways to gradually improve and cruise to a no-doubt-about-it victory.
Walter Tavares was at the heart of the home team's effort as he became the EuroLeague's all-time leading rebounder in the third quarter. He finished the game with 2,016 rebounds to his name.
Maccabi built a 33-41 lead midway through the second quarter, and this is when Real found answers from beyond the arc. Facu Campazzo buried the first one, then Andres Feliz sank 3 consecutive three-pointers to tie it at 45-45. Right after Roman Sorkin rolled off a high-post pick to score around the basket, Chuma Okeke struck from downtown to give Real a 48-47 lead at halftime. Los Blancos made 1 of 6 three-pointers in the first quarter before downing 7 of the next 9 to take the lead.
Tavares had been limited to one field goal attempt and had not managed to prevent Maccabi from scoring in the paint. At halftime, the visitors had made 14 of 22 two-point shots (63.6% 2FG). Coach Oded Kattash used different strategies against Tavares, mainly bringing him out of the paint by using small lineups. Real made adjustments after the break and the picture was very different in the second half.
Tavares finished the game with 11 rebounds to become the competition's rebounding king. He came into the game needing 6 rebounds to pass Paulius Jankunas (2,010 boards). He was already the EuroLeague's all-time shot blocker, now at 512 and counting. A two-time champion, 2023 Final Four MVP, three-time EuroLeague Best Defender and six-time All-EuroLeague, Tavares added yet another milestone to his legendary career.
"I think if I wasn't be here for so long, 8-9 years, it would not be possible. I have seen how Felipe [Reyes] has been all these years getting rebounds! It is amazing to do this in only nine years," Tavares said about his record. "I will try to keep up and do my best until I retire."
Tavares did what he does best, too, contest shots both inside and outside the paint to make every Maccabi player doubt his chances to score. Maccabi was limited to just 4-of-18 two-point shooting after the break (22.2% 2FG), which explains the impact Tavares had in the game once he found his defensive flow.
Real finished the game with a season-high 11 steals from 12 Maccabi 12 turnovers. The home team ended up making 14 of 29 three-pointers -including 13 of 23 attempts (56.5% 3FG) in the final 30 minutes. Mario Hezonja led five Real scorers in double figures with 16 points and spoke about how Real can get even better.
"It's January now, so obviously we know what we what we have to do. We needed to be very selective with our offense and cleaned it up a lot [in the second half]. It is a work in progress," Hezonja said after the game. "We had some very good games coming back in a third quarter We are used to it, but I think we need to focus more on the first and second quarter so this doesn't happen. If it happens, it's good, but it shouldn't happen."
Real plays its next three games at home, starting with El Clasico against FC Barcelona on Friday, January 16.
